Chapter 23
“Then what else?” Jiang Zhong couldn’t hold back a laugh. “It’s the holidays, aren’t I supposed to go home?”
Xi Qin let out a soft snort through his nose.
Jiang Zhong thought Xi Qin looked absolutely adorable right now. “What are you really trying to say?”
“Do you really want to start a long-distance relationship?” Xi Qin asked with a straight face.
“We’re just one district apart,” Jiang Zhong replied. “How is that long-distance?”
“If we’re not in the same dorm, it’s a long-distance relationship,” Xi Qin said seriously.
Jiang Zhong: “…”
Jiang Zhong: “Pfft, hahaha—”
“Are you serious?” Jiang Zhong laughed so hard his stomach hurt.
Xi Qin remained unmoved, clearly serious about it.
“Oh my god.”
Jiang Zhong, exhausted from laughing, tried to rest his arm on Xi Qin’s shoulder, but Xi Qin was a few centimeters taller, making it uncomfortable. Jiang Zhong awkwardly pulled his arm back.
Thoughtfully, Xi Qin supported Jiang Zhong’s arm with his hand, allowing him to lean on him.
The students passing by couldn’t help but glance at them due to Jiang Zhong’s laughter and their odd movements.
“Are you trying to make me laugh to death so you can get a new boyfriend?” Jiang Zhong muttered.
“Is it funny?” Xi Qin asked, glancing at him sideways.
“Not really,” Jiang Zhong said. “I mean, who has a boyfriend or girlfriend in the same dorm? Wouldn’t that mean everyone’s in a long-distance relationship?”
“We’re different,” Xi Qin mumbled.
“Alright, alright.” Jiang Zhong, overwhelmed by Xi Qin’s cuteness, reassured him, “Last time I told my parents that I’m on break today. My mom even asked last night. I’ll go home first, and in a few days, I’ll come hang out with you.”
Jiang Zhong is a liar!
Deng Letian’s celebration party ended fairly early. That evening, Jiang Zhong dragged his suitcase back home, and the first thing his mother, Zheng Yingqiu, said when she saw him was, “Why are you back?”
Jiang Zhong: “…Do I need a reason to come home?”
“Didn’t I tell you last night? After your holiday starts, take your girlfriend out for a few days before coming back,” Zheng Yingqiu asked. “Are you short on money? You could’ve just told me over the phone.”
“It’s not that,” Jiang Zhong said, dragging his suitcase upstairs. “I already told him I’ll go tomorrow. I just came home to drop off my stuff first.”
Zheng Yinqiu nodded, “So, is she still staying at the school tonight?”
“Yeah.” Xi Qin’s rented apartment is near the school, so that’s about right. “I’ll pick him up tomorrow morning.”
Zheng Yinqiu followed Jiang Zhong into his room and sat on the small sofa. “It’s good that you’re home. I wanted to talk to you about something, but it’s hard to explain over the phone.”
Seeing that his mother was ready for a long chat, Jiang Zhong turned and sat on the edge of the bed, facing her. “What is it?”
“First, how long have you and your girlfriend been dating?”
“Half a…” Jiang Zhong realized half a month sounded too short and unreliable, so he quickly changed his answer, “…bit more than a month.”
“That’s not very long,” Zheng Yinqiu said, hesitating. “Then my next question might be a little early.”
“What question? It’s fine, Mom. Go ahead and ask.”
“I was going to ask if you two are dating with marriage in mind,” Zheng Yinqiu said, “But you’ve only been together for less than a month…”
“Yes, we’re planning to be together long-term,” Jiang Zhong quickly replied. “At least, I’m very serious about it.”
Zheng Yinqiu looked at her son approvingly. “Good kid. What I’m about to say might be a little… uncomfortable, but I need to remind you.”
“Okay, go ahead.” Jiang Zhong listened attentively.
“I don’t oppose premarital sex,” Zheng Yinqiu said, “But before anything happens, you must get the other person’s consent. And I hope that when it happens, it’s because your relationship has reached that level, not just out of curiosity.”
Jiang Zhong, a bit embarrassed, puffed out his cheeks and nodded repeatedly. “I understand.”
“And,” Zheng Yinqiu added, “If it does happen, make sure to use protection. Don’t get a girl pregnant before marriage, or…”
She let out a cold laugh, “Your father will break your legs.”
“That won’t happen, no way,” Jiang Zhong hurriedly waved his hands, emphasizing, “Definitely not.”
“No need to be too nervous,” Zheng Yinqiu quickly softened into her usual kind, caring self. “You’ll be 20 next year, and I trust you understand all this. I just worry you might lose your head in the moment and end up doing something you’ll regret, something that would hurt her and make you feel guilty later.”
“Mm,” Jiang Zhong nodded obediently. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Your dad should be the one telling you these things, but he probably hasn’t thought of it,” Zheng Yinqiu laughed. “Since you’re back, I figured I’d talk to you.”
“No need to be shy in front of me,” she continued. “We’ve all been through this. I probably should’ve talked to you about these things before you turned 18, but you’ve never mentioned dating anyone, so I let it slide.”
Jiang Zhong didn’t know what to say, so he just kept nodding and responding with, “Mm-hmm,” “Got it,” “Thanks, Mom.”
“I’ll leave you to it,” Zheng Yinqiu stood up. “Pack your clothes and get some rest.”
“Okay.” Jiang Zhong stood up too. “Goodnight, Mom.”
“Goodnight.”
Jiang Zhong walked Zheng Yinqiu out, only turning to close the door when her figure disappeared at the stairwell.
He felt a little like laughing.
So, Jiang Zhong laughed.
He threw himself onto the bed and picked up his phone to message Xi Qin.
【Jiang Zhong: What are you doing?】
【Xi Qin: Waiting for my boyfriend to tell me he’s safe.】
【Xi Qin: If you didn’t message me soon, I was going to call the police.】
Only then did Jiang Zhong remember that Xi Qin had asked him to send a message when he got home before he got in the taxi.
【Jiang Zhong: Sorry, my mom was talking to me, and I forgot.】
【Jiang Zhong: I’ve been home for a while now.】
【Xi Qin: As long as you’re home.】
【Xi Qin: And you don’t need to say sorry to me anymore.】
What does it feel like to surprise your boyfriend?
Jiang Zhong would answer: it’s so exciting!
How exciting?
So exciting that he almost couldn’t sleep the whole night.
Jiang Zhong sent an early “goodnight” to Xi Qin, but despite closing his eyes, he couldn’t fall asleep.
He vaguely remembered the last time he checked his phone, it was 3:20 a.m. When he finally fell asleep, he had no idea.
In the middle of a deep sleep, a familiar alarm rang in his dreams. Jiang Zhong struggled to open his eyes, blindly reaching for his phone on the bedside table, his vision blurry.
His fingers unconsciously hit the “off” button, and he fell back asleep.
Fortunately, he had been smart enough to predict he might sleep in after his insomnia, so he had set three alarms, five minutes apart.
After the last alarm was turned off, Jiang Zhong forced himself to sit up in bed.
Why did he decide to surprise his boyfriend so early on a freezing winter morning? Had he lost his mind? Jiang Zhong thought groggily, half asleep.
Severely lacking in sleep, Jiang Zhong’s mind was fuzzy the entire ride.
But as soon as the taxi pulled up in front of Xi Qin’s apartment complex, his tiredness vanished, replaced by the excitement he had felt the night before.
Jiang Zhong’s timing was perfect. At 7:20 a.m., Xi Qin sent him a message.
【Xi Qin: Morning.】
Recently, Xi Qin had been getting up at a very regular time, around 7 a.m., due to the routine of studying for exams.
It seemed his body clock had adjusted, so even on vacation, he naturally woke up around 7.
At that moment, Jiang Zhong was pushing a small suitcase, carrying breakfast for two, and pressing the elevator’s “up” button.
While waiting for the elevator, Jiang Zhong quietly replied to Xi Qin.
【Jiang Zhong: Morning.】
【Xi Qin: Hmm? You’re up this early?】
【Jiang Zhong: Yep, surprised?】
The elevator arrived. Jiang Zhong stepped inside and pressed the button for the 9th floor. Just before the doors fully closed, a new message came through from Xi Qin.
【Xi Qin: Totally surprised. I thought if no one woke you up, you’d never get up this early.】
Jiang Zhong smiled but didn’t respond, as the elevator had no signal.
It’s not that he wouldn’t wake up without someone calling him, there was always the alarm clock.
He just preferred being woken up by Xi Qin.
Lying in bed, Xi Qin stared at the chat window for nearly two minutes when a new message from Jiang Zhong popped up.
【Jiang Zhong: Babe, can you help me open the door?】
Xi Qin’s hand slipped, and his phone fell straight onto his nose.
Open the door?!
Wait, open the door?!
Was this what he thought it meant?
Without even sitting up, Xi Qin flipped straight out of bed. His hurried footsteps echoed on the wooden stairs, and his slippers slapped loudly against the floor.
In less than a minute, Xi Qin had flung open the door.
Standing outside, smiling wide, was the boyfriend he’d been thinking about non-stop, the one he had even dreamed about last night.
Jiang Zhong had been grinning ever since stepping out of the elevator, and seeing Xi Qin’s face made him smile even wider.
“Good morning,” Jiang Zhong said.
Xi Qin stared at him, opening his mouth but unable to speak.
Seeing Xi Qin’s shocked, dazed expression, Jiang Zhong felt a sense of accomplishment. He pushed past the stunned Xi Qin, setting his suitcase against the wall, placing the breakfast on the shoe cabinet, and bending down to put on the slippers he’d left there from last time.
“Ah!”
Xi Qin wrapped his arms around Jiang Zhong’s waist from behind, lifting him up and pulling him close, holding him in front of himself.
“Who are you calling babe?” Xi Qin asked breathlessly. “Hmm? Why are you here?”
“Calling you,” Jiang Zhong’s ears were tickled and tingled by the warm breath, and he couldn’t help but tilt his head. “I said I would come to visit.”
“Visit me?” Xi Qin took the opportunity to kiss Jiang Zhong’s ear. “You came so early? What are we going to do?”
“… Let go of me first,” Jiang Zhong struggled, “It’s too hot in here.”
Jiang Zhong was still wearing a thick coat. The room was very warm, and with Xi Qin holding him so tightly, he was blushing, his ears were burning, and his heart was racing.
“If you’re hot, just take off your clothes,” Xi Qin loosened his grip slightly, raising one hand to unzip Jiang Zhong’s coat. “I’ll help you.”
Jiang Zhong let Xi Qin help him take off the coat and hang it on the rack.
“Why is your face so red?” Xi Qin turned Jiang Zhong around to face him, pretending to be curious. “Still hot?”
Jiang Zhong shot him a glance and reached out to pinch Xi Qin’s waist.
Xi Qin instinctively tensed his muscles, making his abs feel firmer.
“Nice feel,” Jiang Zhong said after pinching.
“How can you tell through the clothes?” Xi Qin said as he grabbed Jiang Zhong’s hand that had been pinching him, lifted up the hem of his shirt, and stuffed Jiang Zhong’s hand inside. “This way you can feel it clearly.”